While looking through my Facebook account recently, the Communications Department at Otterbein University posted a question for alumni. The question was what advice you have for those who are graduating from college and I couldn't help but think back to when I walked across the commencement stage three years ago to earn my degree. I thought I knew a lot at that time but didn't quite expect what it would be like to leave college and enter the so-called "real world."
I've learned a lot in the three years since I graduated college and here is the advice I would give to any college graduate:
1) Learn to Network - The connections you make and the relationships you build will pave the path for you down the road. Take the time to network as a young professional, develop relationships with others and build a business foundation. You will never know what opportunities can arise from keeping in touch with these contacts and where your career will go from there
2) Take Time To Meet New People- This might sound obvious but if you are moving back home from being away for a while or moving to a new city, it might be a little lonelier then you anticipated. When I moved back to the Cleveland area after living in Columbus for my four years of college, it was a bit lonely for me at times mainly because my foundation of friends was no longer there and I hadn't spent that much time in the area during college. What helped me was taking time to join some of the local young professional business groups, networking, the Cleveland Hockey Boosters and even Match.com to meet new people. Some other friends of mine have utilized Meetup.com to meet new people and others have joined local sports leagues or gone onto Craigslist to find opportunities to meet new people. No matter where you end up, take time to meet new people and build friendships from that
3) No Matter How Far You Go, Don't Forget Those Who Have Helped You Along The Way - Take time to keep in touch with old college professors, friends and others that helped you reach this point in your life. Continue to maintain those relationships and staying in touch will be meaningful to the other person
Showing posts with label college graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college graduation. Show all posts
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Advice For College Graduates
With college graduation just around the corner, plans about the future and what to do after you walk across the stage to get your degree will have to be made. Making the transition from college student to young professional is a tough one to make but below are some tips for making that adjustment:
1) Take Time To Get Out and Meet New People - There may be a chance you could be moving to another city or town to get your career started and you may not know a lot of people to hang out with after work. Take some time to get adjusted to your new schedule but take time to join clubs, organizations or find different ways to get out of the house or apartment and meet new people. Larger cities have young professionals organizations, people utilize web-sites like MeetUp.com or Match.com to meet new people and there is always the Internet to help you find local organizations that meet your interests. In order to make new friends, you have to take time to meet new people.
2) Take Time To Adjust To Your New Schedule- Chances are, you may not be able to have the same sleep schedule you had in college and you may need to take time to adjust to getting up earlier, working a longer day and getting a routine that suits you. Take time to plan your days as to when you need to get up, how long it takes to get ready, how long it takes to get to work and plan accordingly.
3) Have Network Contacts as Support- Starting a new job may be a bit stressful, however, having network contacts in your field can help. You never know when you might need advice on how to handle a situation at work, how to improve your performance or adjust to a new schedule. Having these contacts can help as you make your way into the world.
4) No Matter How Far You Go, Don't Forget Those Who Helped You Along The Way- Take time to keep in touch with those who helped you along the way. Don't forget those who helped you reach your goals and take time to send e-mails, send messages, have lunch, etc.
1) Take Time To Get Out and Meet New People - There may be a chance you could be moving to another city or town to get your career started and you may not know a lot of people to hang out with after work. Take some time to get adjusted to your new schedule but take time to join clubs, organizations or find different ways to get out of the house or apartment and meet new people. Larger cities have young professionals organizations, people utilize web-sites like MeetUp.com or Match.com to meet new people and there is always the Internet to help you find local organizations that meet your interests. In order to make new friends, you have to take time to meet new people.
2) Take Time To Adjust To Your New Schedule- Chances are, you may not be able to have the same sleep schedule you had in college and you may need to take time to adjust to getting up earlier, working a longer day and getting a routine that suits you. Take time to plan your days as to when you need to get up, how long it takes to get ready, how long it takes to get to work and plan accordingly.
3) Have Network Contacts as Support- Starting a new job may be a bit stressful, however, having network contacts in your field can help. You never know when you might need advice on how to handle a situation at work, how to improve your performance or adjust to a new schedule. Having these contacts can help as you make your way into the world.
4) No Matter How Far You Go, Don't Forget Those Who Helped You Along The Way- Take time to keep in touch with those who helped you along the way. Don't forget those who helped you reach your goals and take time to send e-mails, send messages, have lunch, etc.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Future College Graduates:Before You Graduate College, Take Time To Say Thanks
Even though it's been said many times, college is considered to be one of the most fun times a person has during his or her lifetime. Whether you were in a fraternity, were involved in different organizations on campus, or found different ways to hang out, college often brings great memories to people over the course of four years.
College is fun but chances are, it wasn't always easy at times. There were projects, tests, and extra-curricular activities that probably took up lots of time and energy during the course of those four years. Many college students had to make the adjustment of moving away from home to creating a new life elsewhere and that is not always easy.
Chances are, no matter what you went through, someone probably helped you along the way and helped make life easier for you through his or her guidance. It could have been your RA who helped talk to you about being homesick, it could have been an upperclassman who took time to show you the ropes, it could have been a fraternity brother or sorority sister who helped you study for that big test or it could have been a professor who helped tone your skills and mindset over four years to make you a better student and better person.
No matter what the situation was, there were people along the way who helped you go from being a first-time college freshman to college graduate and it's time to say thanks. If you think back during your four years, you might be surprised as to the number of people you can think of who helped you grow into the person you are now and helped you succeed through four years of college. These people stood behind you during the tough times, provided the shoulder to cry on and helped make sure you succeeded. Before you walk across the stage to get your degree, make sure you take time to say thank the people who helped guide you along the path you took during your four years of college.
Whether you are graduating this weekend, the following weekend or in a couple weeks, take time to consider the following groups of people who may have helped you along the way:
1) Your Friends- some of the best friendships are made in college so take time to thank the people who will have your back no matter what. Take time to hang out before you graduate, take pictures of the good times and make sure to thank these people for being there for you during your four years of college.
2) People in Your Extracurricular Activities- this can go hand-in-hand with friends but might include advisers and coaches (if you played sports) as well. These people were apart of your four years of college and chances are, they played some role in helping you succeed and earn that degree. Take a few moments to thank these people and show them you appreciated their guidance and time.
3) The Cafeteria People, the People Who Work in the Bookstore, the Librarians and Anyone Else Who Helped Serve You on Campus- whether you liked the food or not, cooking for a campus full of students is not easy and many people worked hard in the kitchen to make sure you had breakfast, lunch and dinner ready. The people who work in the bookstore helped you find your books and there might be a librarian or two who helped you find the materials needed for a project. Either way, these people helped you somewhere along the line on campus and make sure to say thanks.
4) Your Professors- these people helped provide your education and the steps towards earning that degree. There is a good possibility you had some professors who really helped you grow as a student and helped hone the raw talent you had. These people helped grow your talents and make sure to say thank you before you graduate.
College is fun but chances are, it wasn't always easy at times. There were projects, tests, and extra-curricular activities that probably took up lots of time and energy during the course of those four years. Many college students had to make the adjustment of moving away from home to creating a new life elsewhere and that is not always easy.
Chances are, no matter what you went through, someone probably helped you along the way and helped make life easier for you through his or her guidance. It could have been your RA who helped talk to you about being homesick, it could have been an upperclassman who took time to show you the ropes, it could have been a fraternity brother or sorority sister who helped you study for that big test or it could have been a professor who helped tone your skills and mindset over four years to make you a better student and better person.
No matter what the situation was, there were people along the way who helped you go from being a first-time college freshman to college graduate and it's time to say thanks. If you think back during your four years, you might be surprised as to the number of people you can think of who helped you grow into the person you are now and helped you succeed through four years of college. These people stood behind you during the tough times, provided the shoulder to cry on and helped make sure you succeeded. Before you walk across the stage to get your degree, make sure you take time to say thank the people who helped guide you along the path you took during your four years of college.
Whether you are graduating this weekend, the following weekend or in a couple weeks, take time to consider the following groups of people who may have helped you along the way:
1) Your Friends- some of the best friendships are made in college so take time to thank the people who will have your back no matter what. Take time to hang out before you graduate, take pictures of the good times and make sure to thank these people for being there for you during your four years of college.
2) People in Your Extracurricular Activities- this can go hand-in-hand with friends but might include advisers and coaches (if you played sports) as well. These people were apart of your four years of college and chances are, they played some role in helping you succeed and earn that degree. Take a few moments to thank these people and show them you appreciated their guidance and time.
3) The Cafeteria People, the People Who Work in the Bookstore, the Librarians and Anyone Else Who Helped Serve You on Campus- whether you liked the food or not, cooking for a campus full of students is not easy and many people worked hard in the kitchen to make sure you had breakfast, lunch and dinner ready. The people who work in the bookstore helped you find your books and there might be a librarian or two who helped you find the materials needed for a project. Either way, these people helped you somewhere along the line on campus and make sure to say thanks.
4) Your Professors- these people helped provide your education and the steps towards earning that degree. There is a good possibility you had some professors who really helped you grow as a student and helped hone the raw talent you had. These people helped grow your talents and make sure to say thank you before you graduate.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
More Advice For Soon-To-Be College Graduates
With every spring comes the beginning of baseball season, flowers blooming and green leaves on the trees as well as a life changing event for young adults; college graduation. Graduating college is an exciting time in life but adjusting to the "real world" as they call it does take some time.
There is no doubt receiving a college degree is a great achievement but adjusting to life outside of college does not happen overnight. With bills and loans to pay off for many, it's important to find a job that will help get you started on a career and build a social life outside of work. Maintaining a job will provide the skills needed to help a career and having a social life outside of work will make the adjustment a little easier.
Below are some great tips for making the adjustment from college student to working professional:
1) Take Time to Adjust to a New Work Schedule- When you start your first job out of college, it may take a while adjusting to the time you have to get up in the morning to be on work at time. Not every job starts at 8am or 9am in the morning but realize you might not have the luxury of being able to sleep in until 10 or 11am every morning. Getting up early is an adjustment so take time to get used to that routine.
2) Take Time to Exercise on a Regular Basis- Exercise is a great release for stress and excess energy and you will feel better if you take time each week to workout and stay in shape. This will help relieve any stress you might be feeling from the adjustment and you will feel better about yourself.
3) Take Time to Meet People Outside of Work and Build Friendships- You can simply just go home every day after work but you will feel better about yourself and be able to relax more if you take time to socialize with other people after work. Many cities have young professionals clubs and there are different clubs and organizations that can coincide with your hobbies and interests. There are many different ways to get out and meet new people and with the help of the Internet, it's pretty easy to find different ways to become involved in a club or organization. No matter what your hobbies are, take time to meet other people and build friendships along the way.
4) Don't Forget Where You Came From and Take Time to Help Others- If you can, take time to help out other college students. Whether it's at your alma mater or not, taking time to help others reach their goals and helping them along the way will help remind you where you came from. Remember you were in their shoes once before and taking time to help others will no doubt help you find something to do outside of work.
There is no doubt receiving a college degree is a great achievement but adjusting to life outside of college does not happen overnight. With bills and loans to pay off for many, it's important to find a job that will help get you started on a career and build a social life outside of work. Maintaining a job will provide the skills needed to help a career and having a social life outside of work will make the adjustment a little easier.
Below are some great tips for making the adjustment from college student to working professional:
1) Take Time to Adjust to a New Work Schedule- When you start your first job out of college, it may take a while adjusting to the time you have to get up in the morning to be on work at time. Not every job starts at 8am or 9am in the morning but realize you might not have the luxury of being able to sleep in until 10 or 11am every morning. Getting up early is an adjustment so take time to get used to that routine.
2) Take Time to Exercise on a Regular Basis- Exercise is a great release for stress and excess energy and you will feel better if you take time each week to workout and stay in shape. This will help relieve any stress you might be feeling from the adjustment and you will feel better about yourself.
3) Take Time to Meet People Outside of Work and Build Friendships- You can simply just go home every day after work but you will feel better about yourself and be able to relax more if you take time to socialize with other people after work. Many cities have young professionals clubs and there are different clubs and organizations that can coincide with your hobbies and interests. There are many different ways to get out and meet new people and with the help of the Internet, it's pretty easy to find different ways to become involved in a club or organization. No matter what your hobbies are, take time to meet other people and build friendships along the way.
4) Don't Forget Where You Came From and Take Time to Help Others- If you can, take time to help out other college students. Whether it's at your alma mater or not, taking time to help others reach their goals and helping them along the way will help remind you where you came from. Remember you were in their shoes once before and taking time to help others will no doubt help you find something to do outside of work.
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